Anyone Does Excercise While Breastfeeding?

Hi
I started www.babybootcamp.com when my baby was 6 months old. I was still nursing. I used to feed her before my class. The main thing is to drink lots of water. You probably need to shower before nursing as some babies dont like the smell / taste of sweat
Good luck

1 mom found this helpful

I started exercising my first week home from the hospital, but also worked out my entire pg. You can do what your body is up for and only you know your body. However by 6m you should be able to do everything. It has nothing to do with your milk supply, that's all supply & demand and plenty of healthy foods and water on your part. I like yoga, pilates, dvd's from the library so it's always new and not boring, Denise Austin on tv...

Here's a GREAT article on exercising and breastfeeding.

http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/mom-exercise.html

Keep it up! You're doing a wonderful thing for yourself and your baby! Besides all the benefits for your baby, you're lowering your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast cancer, uterine cancer, and many other diseases!

I am a Family Health Coach. Here are a couple of my most recent testimonials:

"B., we did it, I did exactly what you said, i took you nutritional advice, i ate more of what you told me to, AND in just 6 weeks I lost the baby fat. I have more energy, Miller (baby) is healthier than EVER, the doctor said 'whatever you are doing Carri, just keep doing it!' Thank you for your coaching and your program."
Carri D. Mom of Miller age 11 months

"Okay at first I was sceptical, eat more you said. Take this nutrition shake you said. I told you I was already taking a protein shake a day. "canoe vs cruise ship" you said. I didn't understand at first, but now DO I EVER! I had been on a store bought shake for over 4 months, NOTHING! Just 4 weeks with you Liam (6 months) is sleeping through the night - that means I am too! - he is more alive than ever. Looks like his "challenges" have all cleared up. He is so alert and so am I. Joel (husband) says I am a whole new woman! Thank you thank you thank B.. Your coaching and your program changed my life!"
Allison B Mom of 3 (6 months, 3 and 7)

"Who knew I could eat like this, lose weight and feel FABULOUS! Baby number 5 was a breeze. Thanks B.!"
Julie H. Mom of 5

T., I know that I can help you. A 15 minute consult, a program suggestion and you will be well on your way. BTW programs start at about $5 a day. Just in case you put a price value on your and your baby's health and wanted to know before you contacted me.

B.
____@____.com

As the other women have mentioned, exercise can effect the taste of you milk. My daughter never complained. However, my friends son wouldn't nurse for 2-3 hours after she worked out, so she would pump before doing her workout. So you might consider pumping the first couple of times just in case your baby refuses right after. Staying hydrated, especially when exercising will help production of milk.

I think I started around 4 months and I'm still BFing at almost 15 months. I pumped just before, but only for my own comfort (I was concerned that I might be uncomfortable if I was full).

Just make sure you drink LOTs of water, and I'm sure you'll do fine. Start slow... also, if you're not walking that's a great place to start (and the baby will enjoy getting out!).

Best of luck!

You may go through some changes. Your baby might not like to feed right after you workout but YES you can work out!!! I did with both of mine very shortly after birth. No problems to report on our end.

Best wishes,
M.

T.,
You will have no effect on your milk supply when exercising. Just keep up on your water intake. Choosing to start exercising is the best thing you can do for yourself and your children. It keeps me healthy and sane!

I 'exercised' since my baby was born. I take my kids on walks a lot. Our neighborhood is very hilly, so pushing a double stroller up and down the streets is pretty intense. I also use weights to tone my arms. It's about all the time I had before I went back to work when my daughter was 6 mos. Then I went to the gym at lunch time, doing the treadmill/weights. Drink plenty of water and your milk supply should be fine. I produced plenty of milk. I heard exercise affects taste of milk but it didn't seem to bother either one of my girls. BTW, just to give you the qualitative/quantitative gauge of the amount/intensity of my 'exercise program', I was able to get back to pre-pregnancy weight at year 2. Of course, eating sensibly is also a major part of it. Good luck!

Some babies will refuse the breast, after a woman exercises. This is because exercise produces lactic acids in the body and it changes the taste of the breastmilk, making it taste "soured."

Thus, when exercising, make sure you time it, and for when your baby nurses afterward. It takes about 2 hours post-exercise, for the breastmilk taste to normalize afterwards. And some babies are sensitive to their Mom being/smelling sweaty. So shower after, before nursing.

All the best,
Susan

I just started StrollerStrides here in Simi. I am not sure where you live. But you can take your baby in the stroller with you. We have another mom who has a 6 mos old baby. And exercising while nursing is fine, but it's true, don't forget to hydrate.

Hi T.,

I did weight watcher with my son. They have a plan for breast feeding mothers. I am also doing Stroller strides. I really like it. You get out side and exercise. What area do you live in? You can try a week free. Oh, I never had a problem w/exercise and breastfeeding. If you have any questions feel free to ask. ____@____.com

LOL if you haven't been working out for a while ... THAT Jillian Michaels video is not a place I would suggest starting with! I have been working out 6 days a week for about 3 years now and it STILL puts me in my place after one of her workouts. I am NOT one of those people who as she would say "phones it in at the gym" either. I work hard and have lost 160 pounds in this time, including all of my pregnancy weight. I would simply start with walking and then progress upwards as in using some simple handweights to increase the resistance during your walking. one of the things that i used for my workouts when I was just getting started was my son! I'd do push ups over him and kiss him each time I came down... or put him on my knees and do baby leg lifts ... things like that. I don't know you... or your workout history... but I remember how tough it was for me to get back to my pre-pregnancy intensity and if I still have problems with that video (not to mention she jumps a lot and if you don't have your pelvic floor muscles back FORGET ABOUT IT! lol)

As far as the breast milk goes... I didn't see a change in my quantity or quality. HOWEVER! Do know that lactic acid does get stored in your milk which can make it taste like drinking buttermilk. Not a lot of babies like that. it takes about 2 hours for it to leave your milk and for it to returned to it's non-soured state. Never bothered my son but he also eats lemons straight! Go figure!

Feel free to contact me if you would like any more suggestions :)

J.
www.HolisticWellnessAndNutrition.webs.com

Moderate exercise shouldn't effect your supply. Wear a good bra and drink lots of water. I tried the 30 day shred a few months ago and had no problems with changes to my supply. I did hurt my knee, so be careful with the lunges and jumping. Since then, I've been walking and doing ab exercises, lots of crunches, reverse crunches, bicycle crunches, plank pose (from yoga), the "saw" (from Pilates). Good luck.

Hi T.,

I, too, have a 6 month old and am breastfeeding. We just started solids and are still introducing foods, 1x/day. I have been exercising since he was 2 weeks old (slow, short walks to begin with then longer walks, yoga, then I joined the local Stroller Strides class when he was about 3 months old). I exercise anywhere from 5-7 days a week now and have noticed no difference whatsoever in my milk supply. My mother is a lactation consultant and she says that there is no contradindication for exercising but if you were a runner and going on a long run or doing some other major training, to breastfeed before and wait 1 hour or so afterwards for the lactic acid buildup to resolve. As with any exercise program, start slow and add intensity and resistance as tolerated! Check out your local Stroller Strides or mom's club groups--it's always fun and more motivating working out with a friend:) Good luck!

S.

Great for you to want to start exercising! I just finished breastfeeding my 12 month old, and I ran two half marathons (13.1 mile races) while pregnant and put in at least 45 minutes runs 5 days a week, with at least one 2 hour run a week, starting when the baby was 6 weeks old until current. No supply issues with me, but I was hungrier than "normal," but didn't gain weight because of the exercise level. I think you'll be safe whatever level of workout you choose, but be sure to listen to your body. Have fun!

Hi, T.,

I started exercising (weight training, rowing, running) two months after my last c-section and birth of my last child 20 months ago. I don't think that exercise has affected my milk supply but am not 100% sure as I have not measured how much milk I produce. My nursing child still gets most of his calories and nutrients from my milk.

L. E

I started exercising when my baby was about 4 months old. He is now 12.5 month sold and I am still nursing.
It is good for your body! Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids. it did not hurt my supply at all.
GOOD LUCK!

Yay, have fun! I excercised and breastfed. I started like you with tapes and in the was jogging and going to the gym. It never complicated anything for us. I did hear pepole say to wipe the breast before offering to the baby so it is not all sweaty, i have heard babies do not like the taste. My daughter was fine and never fussed a bit. Nothing changed. Enjoy!!!

My daughter is 9 weeks old and I've been exercising 3 times a week for the past 3 weeks. Walking, lunges, jumping jacks, etc.. just to get my heart going. I exclusively breast feed with no problems.-www.weelicious.com

I nursed my daughter her 1st 10 months and started exercising at 6 weeks after she was born. I was not a great producer of milk (even before I exercised) and exercising did not seem to effect my production.

I have never been an extreme exerciser, just weights (2x per week) and 30 minutes on the treadmill or hour hikes a few times per week. Which may be why it wasn't a problem with reducing my supply.I do it to be healthy and fight gravity!!

To keep my milk supply up, I ate very healthy and nutrient rich meals, avocado, turkey, lottsa veggies, chicken and fish. I don't like meat or that would have been part of it. I drank whole milk (because my body craved the fat while I nursed). Also took the supplement fenugreek which was recommended at my pediatrician's office by the lactation specialist, plus drank lots of water.

Good luck with it!!

Drink extra, extra, extra fluids and try to stay calm. Stress and dehydration are the biggest culprits in loss of milk production.